Handheld exercise device

ABSTRACT

A handheld exercise device having two pairs of opposing handles that are coupled by resilient members that provide tension to moving one pair of handles away from each other and to moving the other pair of handles towards each other. One pair of the handles are hingedly attached to the resilient members and the other pair are fixedly attached. The exercise device is portable and can be disassembled by detaching at least one pair of the handles from the resilient members.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to an exercise device. More particularly, the disclosure relates to an exercise device that is handheld and used for rehabilitation or fitness training.

BACKGROUND

Exercise equipment can be used for strength and fitness training or rehabilitation purposes. Typically, an exercise device provides some type of resistance in opposition to the user's movement that requires the use of certain muscle groups to work against the resistance.

With free weights, such as medicine balls, kettlebells, dumbbells and barbells, the resistance is provided by the mass of the weight. In order to provide different resistances, free weights require a set of weights that occupy a large amount of space and are not practicably portable due to their weight. Free weights can also be dangerous to the unskilled since they allow a free range of motion that could result in injury.

Exercise machines can be used that limit the path of motion but these machines are typically in a fixed location and require time to adjust the machine for a particular movement, select the appropriate resistance, and adjust the machine to the person's height or limb length. In order to exercise a number of muscles, different exercise machines must be used or the exercise machine must be reconfigured. Using different machines and reconfiguring them for exercises can also be time consuming. These types of exercise machines also occupy a fair amount of space and are not portable.

Most portable exercise devices are limited in the exercises that can be performed because they usually provide resistance in a single direction. For example, exercise devices that use springs, elastics tubing or other resilient material typically only allow for movement in a single direction against the resistance. These types of exercise devices cannot be used to provide a full suite of exercises that are normally required for rehabilitation or exercising muscles and their antagonistic pairs. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,041,041 to Evans describes a securing structure that holds resilient rods that are attached to straps to provide resistance through the rods only when the straps are pulled away from the device.

Physiotherapist incorporate exercises and strength training to help rehabilitate their patients. Physiotherapist clinics have limited space but require a number of exercise machines in order to provide exercise therapy to the patients. Part of the prescribed therapy often has a patient practicing exercise movements at home (or while travelling) that require the patient to use expensive or bulky equipment, or that require multiple exercise devices. There is also a risk that unsupervised patients may injure themselves using this equipment by exceeding the safe range of movement.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, there is a need for an exercise device that can be used for rehabilitation, strength, or fitness training to safely provide a range of exercise movements. There is a further need for an exercise device that is portable and can provide a range of exercise movements. There is also a need for an exercise device that provides a safe range of movement to help prevent injury.

According to a first aspect, a handheld exercise device is provided that comprises a pair of resilient members each having a handle portion located between two end portions; a pair of opposing end-grips, each of the opposing end-grips hingedly coupled to each of the pair of resilient members at opposing sides of the opposing end-grip, wherein the pair of resilient members provide tension to moving handle portions of the pair of resilient members away from each other and the pair of resilient members provide tension to moving end-grips towards each other. Preferably, the side-grip is rotatable about a length-wise axis of the side-grip.

In another aspect, each of the pair of resilient members comprise a side-grip and two resilient limbs fixedly coupled to opposing ends of the side-grip. Preferably, the side-grip and two resilient limbs are releasably coupled by a clamp down binding, and the end-grips hingedly coupled to the resilient members are releasably coupled. The end-grips hingedly coupled to the resilient members are releasably coupled by a Nordic ski-type binding having a bar and moveable jaw.

In yet another aspect, the handheld exercise device further comprises a number of camera-detectable markers to facilitate motion capture of the exercise device by a motion capture system. In a related aspect, a sensor can be coupled to one of the resilient members to measure a bend amount of the resilient member.

According to a second aspect, a portable exercise device is provided that comprises a first pair of opposing handles each having two opposed fixed attachment portions; a second pair of opposing handles each having two opposed hinged attachment portions; at least four resilient limbs, each of the resilient members having a fixed attachment portion for coupling with one of the two opposed fixed attachment portions of one of the first pair of opposing handles and a hinged attachment portion for hingedly coupling with one of the two opposed hinged attachment portions of one of the second pair of opposing handles, the fixed attachment portion and the hinged attachment portion located at opposing end portions of each of the resilient members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the various embodiments described herein and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings which show at least one exemplary embodiment, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a handheld exercise device;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the handheld exercise device of FIG. 1 in a deformed state;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the handheld exercise device of FIG. 1 illustrating a twisting motion;

FIG. 4 is a side view of an alternative attachment mechanism to attach the resilient limb to the side-grip;

FIG. 5A is an alternative clevis pin hinge attachment;

FIG. 5B is an alternative hinge attachment having a bar and mating jaw similar to a Nordic ski binding;

FIG. 6 is an alternative embodiments of a handheld exercise device having resilient bands connected between the handle portions to increase resistance;

FIG. 7A is an alternative concave side-grip;

FIG. 7B is an alternative convex side-grip;

FIG. 8A is an alternative end-grip having two hand grip positions; and

FIG. 8B is an alternative end-grip having a single hand grip position;

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, this description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein in any way, but rather as merely describing the implementations of various embodiments described herein.

Reference is first made to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a handheld exercise device 100 is shown. Handheld exercise device 100 has opposing resilient members 110 and 120 that each have a handle portion 112 and 122, respectively, that are located between the ends of respective opposing resilient members 110,120. A pair of opposing end-grips 130 and 140 are hingedly attached to connect opposing resilient members 110 and 120 near their ends. Resilient members 110, 120 are resilient, meaning that when deflected or bent they provide some resistance to the force causing them to bend and have memory so that they return to the original shape and position when the force is removed.

Handheld exercise device 100 can be both expanded and compressed to provide a range of different exercise movements. Handle portions 112, 122 can be pulled away from each other to provide an expansion movement. Opposition or tension to the expansion movement is provided by the resilience of opposing resilient members 110, 120.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of handheld exercise device 100 in a deformed state. The deformed state can be obtained by applying inwards force, pushing end-grips 130, 140 together according upwards and downwards arrows in FIG. 2, or the deformed state can be obtained by applying an outwards force, pulling handle portions 112, 122 away from each other according the right and left facing arrows in FIG. 2. The deformation of resilient members 110, 120 provide an opposition or tension in the deformed state in the opposite directions of the arrows in FIG. 2.

Forcing end-grips 130, 140 towards each other is referred to as a compression movement, and forcing handle portions 112, 122 away from each other is referred to as an expansion movement. The ability to provide both a compression movement and an expansion movement allows handheld exercise device 100 to be used for more possible exercises than current devices that typically only provide either an expansion or a compression movement. Handle portions 112, 122 can also be pushed together or compressed to offer a compression movement with a more limited range of motion. This compressed movement can be utilized more for isometric muscular effort that do not require a full range of movement.

Handheld exercise device 100 can be used for isotonic strength movements, both concentric and eccentric, as resilient members 110, 120 provide an almost constant tension. Isometric strength exercises can also be used with handheld exercise device 100 by maintaining handheld exercise device 100 in a static position (i.e. in a compressed or expanded state) for a period of time. Resilient members 110, 120 also provide a safe limit to the range of motion of handheld exercise device 100.

The configuration of handheld exercise device 100 lends itself to a variety of exercises due to its ability to apply tension in both the expansion and compression movements. Exercises can be performed with handheld exercise device 100 in front of the body, behind the body, overhead, or within handheld exercise device 100. Allowing a user perform exercises within handheld exercise device 100 using either the compression or expansion movements provides a wide range of exercises that cannot be performed with existing handheld exercise devices, particularly portable devices.

Handheld exercise device 100 does require reconfiguration for different exercises and allows an easy to transition between exercises (e.g. by moving handheld exercise device into another position or orientation) which decreases the amount of time required for a workout or rehabilitation session. Handheld exercise device 100 can also exercise muscles that are not targeted by other general purpose exercise devices, such as the pronators and supinators of the forearms and rotator cuff muscles of the shoulders. For example, FIG. 3 illustrates a twisting motion that can be performed while holding end-grips 130, 140 to strengthen the forearms. Sport specific movements can also be performed with handheld exercise device 100, such as a golf swing for example.

Opposing resilient members 110, 120 can be composed of a single piece of material that can be configured for a specific amount of tension. The handle portions 112, 122 can be more rigid and the end portions, referred to as limb portions, of opposing resilient members 110, 120 can provide the resilience. For example, opposing resilient members 110, 120 can be composed of a high density molded plastic that provides rigid handle portions 112, 122 using a thicker cross-section and the limb portions of opposing resilient members 110, 120 can be provided using a thinner cross-section to allow flexibility of opposing resilient members 110, 120. Alternatively, handle portions 112, 122 can be provided with reinforcement from a more rigid material.

Preferably, handheld exercise device 100 has opposing resilient members 110, 120 than can be disassembled for increased portability. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate resilient member 110 being comprised of side-grip 114 that has resilient limbs 116, 118 attached to each end of side-grip 114. Resilient member 120 is similarly comprised of side-grip 124 that has resilient limbs 126, 128 attached to each end of side-grip 124. Resilient limbs 116, 118 are fixedly attached to side-grip 114 so that there is no movement between resilient limbs 116, 118 and side-grip 114 at the attachment point. This is illustrated in FIG. 2 where compression is provided by the flex of resilient limbs and hinged motion between end-grips 130, 140 but a fixed position is maintained between resilient limbs and side-grips 114, 124.

Resilient limbs 116, 118, 126, 128 are shown attached to side-grips 114, 124 by clamp-down bindings 152, 154, 156, 158 that apply a compressive force to the ends of resilient limbs 116, 118, 126, 128 to hold them in a fixed position. Clamp-down bindings 152, 154, 156, 158 have a levered handle that is used to apply and release the compressive force similar to the operation of some ski boot binding systems. Clamp-down bindings 152, 154, 156, 158 allow resilient limbs 116, 118, 126, 128 to be quickly attached and released from side-grips 114, 124. The ends of resilient limbs 116, 118, 126, 128 that are inserted into clamp-down bindings 152, 154, 156, 158 can also be shaped to provide a secure fit within clamp-down bindings 152, 154, 156, 158. For example, the ends may have a protrusions, grooves, or holes that fit with a mating structure inside clamp-down bindings 152, 154, 156, 158.

By providing the tension through the assembly of resilient limbs 116, 118, 126, 128 instead of a weight or pulley systems allows handheld exercise device 100 to be easily disassembled and carried in small bag. Handheld exercise device 100 can provide adjustable resistance by modifying the set of resilient limbs 116, 118, 126, 128. Light resistance can be provided by a set of resilient limbs for rehabilitation exercises, children or the elderly, and higher resistance can be provided by another set of resilient limbs for muscle building.

Referring to FIG. 4, a side view of an alternative resilient limb fixed attachment mechanism is shown. Resilient limb 116 has a hole or channel 410 to allow the passage of threaded fastener, such as thumbscrew 420, that mates with an internal thread 430 of side-grip 114. Resilient limb 116 is seated in groove 440 and held in place by thumbscrew 420. The effective length of resilient limb 116 (i.e. the distance between the fixed attachment and hinge attachment) can be adjusted depending on where thumbscrew 420 impinges upon resilient limb 116. Resilient limb 116 can have a series of holes or a channel 410 with accompanying markings to indicate the effective length of the resilient limb 116 so that the other limbs 118, 126, 128 can be attached with a similar length. Adjusting the effective length of resilient limb 116, 118, 126, 128 can provide a way of adjusting the tension of exercise device 100 and adapting handheld exercise device 100 to users of different heights.

Opposing resilient members 110, 120 can be comprised of many different assemblies. Some assemblies can include a two-part design where resilient limbs are attached to one another or a three-part design that includes a handle connecting the resilient limbs as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Assemblies used for take-down archery bows provide a number of examples. U.S. Pat. No. 3,814,075 to Hoyt, Jr. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,091,790 to Hoyt, Jr., hereby incorporated by reference, both illustrate a take-down archery bow with a handle having sockets formed in each end for accepting the limb and a thumb screw to fix the limbs to the handle. U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,675 to Treadway, hereby incorporated by reference, teaches a two-part take-down archery bow design that joins the limbs of the bow using an abutment joint with an alignment post in one limb that mates with an alignment bore in the other limb. U.S. Pat. No. 3,738,348 to Karbo, hereby incorporated by reference, teaches joining the pair of archery bow limbs with stepped interior ends which are adapted to be locked in mated position by a threaded bolt. U.S. Pat. No. 3,957,027 to Drake, hereby incorporated by reference, teaches limbs that can be folded towards the handle of the bow.

Further resilient member designs 110, 120 can include take-down archery bow assemblies illustrated by U.S. Pat. No. 5,546,923 to Duncan, U.S. Pat. No. 3,771,508 to Black et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,468 to Izuta, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,537,196 to Karbo, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Resilient limbs 116, 118, 126, 128 can be configured for a specific tension for handheld exercise device 100. Tension of handheld exercise device 100 can be adjusted by using a different set of resilient limbs that are either more rigid for increased tension or more flexible for decreased tension. Alternatively, resilient limbs may be combined together, for example, so that two resilient limbs are doubled up to connect the handle of resilient members to opposing handles. Resilient limbs 116, 118, 126, 128 can also provide attachments for a clip-on resistance band that can be affixed to resilient limbs 116, 118, 126, 128 to increase resistance.

Resilient limbs 116, 118, 126, 128 can be composed of a plastic or other composites based on plastic, resin or epoxy. Preferably resilient limbs 116, 118, 126, 128 are composed of a fiber reinforced plastic or resin that can use fiberglass, carbon fibers or aramid fibers, such as glass-reinforced polyester for example. The strength of the material used and its resistance to deformation in the compressed and expanded states of exercise device 100 will determine the tension forces required to operate exercise device 100. Different material compositions can be used to provide an exchangeable set of resilient limbs 116, 118, 126, 128 to provide different tension. A set of limbs can be marked or color-coded to indicate its tension.

Resilient limbs 116, 118, 126, 128 are illustrated having a rectangular cross-section, but other cross-section could be used, such as having cylindrical resilient limbs 116, 118, 126, 128. The cross-sectional area of resilient limbs 116, 118, 126, 128 also determines the tension of exercise device 100, and an exchangeable set of resilient limbs 116, 118, 126, 128 can be provided having differing cross-sections to provide different tensions.

The end portion of resilient members 110, 120 are hingedly attached to end-grips 130, 140. The hinged attachment preferably provides a uni-planar hinge joint so that exercise device 100 is restricted in the plane of motion illustrated by FIGS. 2 and 3. Using a uniplanar hinge joint eliminates unwanted rotation that could affect the stability of the movement of handheld exercise device 100 and potentially cause injury.

Hinge attachment can be provided by mated knuckles on end-grips 130, 140 and resilient members 110, 120 that are attached by removable clevis pins 162, 164, 166, 168 as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Clevis pins 162, 164, 166, 168 can be held in place with a removable pin, such as a R-clip, cotter pin or split pin. Alternatively, clevis pins 162, 164, 166, 168 can have a resilient, integral button that can be depressed for insertion or removal in mated knuckles so that clevis pins 162, 164, 166, 168 remain in place. Other known clevis pin designs can also be used.

An alternative clevis pin 502 is illustrated in FIG. 5A having a threaded section 504 that mates with internal threading 506 in the knuckle of end-grips 130, 140, or alternatively, resilient members 110, 120. Head 508 of clevis pin 502 can be knurled or have wings to allow clevis pin 502 to hand tightened without the need for tools.

An alternative hinge attachment using a bar 512 for mating with jaw 514 is illustrated in FIG. 5B. This hinge attachment is similar to Nordic ski bindings where a bar in the toe of the shoe is hooked into catch in the binding to allow the show to hinge with respect to the ski. Jaw 514 is moveable between a bar-accepting position and a bar-engaging position. In the bar-engaging position, the member having bar 512 (i.e. either resilient members 110, 120 or end-grips 130, 140) can hinge about the member having jaw 514. Preferably, end-grips 130, 140 have jaw 514 and bar 512 can be integrated with resilient members 110, 120.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an alternative handheld exercise device 600 is illustrated with resilient bands 672, 674 connected between handle portions 612, 614 of resilient members 610, 620. Handheld exercise device 600 shares a similar construction to handheld exercise device 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, and similar parts are similarly numbered. Resilient bands 672, 674 can be added or removed to adjust the tension of handheld exercise device 600 and affects the tension of both the compression and expansion movements of handheld exercise device 600. Resilient members 610, 620 can have an attachment mechanisms coupled to handle portions 612, 622 illustrated as u-shaped loops 682, 684, 686, 688 in FIG. 6. Resilient bands 672, 674 can have hooks or clips on each end that attach to u-shaped loops 682, 684, 686, 688 on opposing handle portions 612, 622. Resilient bands 672, 674 can be composed of rubber or latex to provide elasticity.

Alternatives to side-grips 114, 124 are illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B. Concave side-grip 702 bends inwards towards the opposing side grip of the handheld exercise device 100. Convex side-grip 704 bends outwards away from the opposing side grip of handheld exercise device 100.

Side-grips 114, 124 can also rotate about their axis as illustrated by arrows 115 and 125 in FIG. 2. Rotatable side-grips 114, 124 can alleviate stress on the wrist complex including the joint, tendons and ligaments because it provides a soft or give-able end-feel by providing another plane of movement as opposed to a hard non-give end-feel. The hinge joint coupled to end-grips 130, 140 provides the same function. This extra movement at the end of the range of an exercise will prevent the wrist and tendons from absorbing the stress to compress or expand handheld exercise device 100. This provides an improvement over the Bullworker exercise devices that are known to commonly causes tendonitis in the wrists and forearms.

Alternatives to end-grips 130, 140 are illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B. Double handgrip end-grip 802 has two hand-grip positions 802 and 804 that accommodate users with different arm spans and allows for variability in possible exercises. The inner handgrips can have a smaller diameter for those with smaller hands. Single handgrip end-grip 812 has a single hand-grip 812. The outer edge of end-grips 130, 140 can also be adapted to make contact with the ground and be held in position on the ground by the user's foot. End-grips 130, 140 can also be configured to have a hand-grip and a flat foothold, optionally with a foot strap, to allow exercises where at least one end-grip is attached to the feet of the user of handheld exercise device 100.

Handheld exercise device 100 can also have a number of camera-detectable markers that facilitate motion capture of the movement of handheld exercise device 100 when used with a motion capture system. The camera-detectable markers can facilitate detection by a camera by have a contrasting color to that of handheld exercise device 100, or by having markers composed of reflective or retro-reflective material. The motion-capture system can have one or more cameras and a computer processor to capture and track the movement of the camera-detectable markers on handheld exercise device 100. The camera can detect the orientation of handheld exercise device 100 by relative distances and visibility of each of the camera-detectable markers.

The motion-capture system can provide real-time feedback on the movement of handheld exercise device 100 to interact with a software program. The software program can provide applications for handheld exercise device 100 for military, entertainment, sports and medical applications.

The software program can provide a physiotherapy program that includes a list of exercises that are part of a rehabilitation program. The physiotherapy program can provide feedback on the proper exercise physiology for each exercise, including, for example but not limited to range of motion, speed of repetition, length of time for holding isometric positions, work performed (e.g. Joules), calories expended and poundage moved. The physiotherapy program can also track the patient's progress with the rehabilitation program by providing a logging function of exercises completed (and any deviances from the program or exercises) that can be shared with the rehabilitation specialist, such as using a secure portal on the internet that receives the log of the exercises that can then be accessed by the rehabilitation specialist.

The software program can also be implemented as a video game. The motion capture system could include a video game console that incorporates a camera, such as, for example, the Microsoft Kinect or the Playstation Eye. Movement of handheld exercise device 100 can correspond to certain game functions. For example, the orientation, expansion and releasing expanded state could correspond to aiming, drawing and releasing an arrow from a bow in the game. Other game functions could include orienting handheld exercise device 100 to act as a shield; to steer, accelerate, and decelerate a vehicle; or otherwise control the movements of an onscreen avatar.

Handheld exercise device 100 can also incorporate a sensor that is embedded within or attached externally to at least one of the resilient members 110, 120 to measure the amount of bend or flex of resilient members 110, 120. For example, one or more of resilient limbs 116, 118, 126, 128 can have a piezoelectric sensor embedded between layers making up resilient limbs 116, 118, 126, 128, and the sensor can be connected to a communications interface of handheld exercise device 100 for communicating with a motion capture system. The sensors can also be used in conjunction with camera-detectable markers.

While the exemplary embodiments have been described herein, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, and scope of the claims is to be accorded an interpretation that encompasses all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions. 

1. A handheld exercise device comprising: a pair of resilient members each having a handle portion located between two end portions; a pair of opposing end-grips, each of the opposing end-grips hingedly coupled to each of the pair of resilient members at opposing sides of the opposing end-grip, wherein the pair of resilient members provide tension to moving handle portions of the pair of resilient members away from each other and the pair of resilient members provide tension to moving end-grips towards each other.
 2. The handheld exercise device of claim 1, wherein each of the pair of resilient members comprise a side-grip and two resilient limbs fixedly coupled to opposing ends of the side-grip.
 3. The handheld exercise device of claim 2, wherein side-grip and two resilient limbs are releasably coupled by a clamp down binding.
 4. The handheld exercise device of claim 2, wherein the end-grips hingedly coupled to the resilient members are releasably coupled.
 5. The handheld exercise device of claim 3, wherein the end-grips hingedly coupled to the resilient members are releasably coupled by a clevis pin.
 6. The handheld exercise device of claim 3, wherein the end-grips hingedly coupled to the resilient members are releasably coupled by a Nordic ski-type binding having a bar and moveable jaw.
 7. The handheld exercise device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the end-grips and the handle portion of the pair of resilient members have a plurality of handle positions.
 8. The handheld exercise device of claim 2, wherein the side-grip is rotatable about an axis of the side-grip.
 9. The handheld exercise device of claim 2, wherein the side-grip is curved any one of inwards or outwards.
 10. The handheld exercise device of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of camera-detectable markers to facilitate motion capture of the device.
 11. The handheld exercise device of claim 1 wherein a sensor is coupled to least one of the resilient members to measure a bend amount of the at least one resilient member.
 12. The handheld exercise device of claim 2, wherein the resilient limbs are configured to attach resilient sub-members to increase tension of the resilient limbs.
 13. The handheld exercise device of claim 2, wherein the resilient members have at least one attachment mechanism to attach a resilient band between the resilient members to increase tension.
 14. The handheld exercise device of claim 1 wherein resilient members provide tension to moving handle portions of the pair of resilient members towards each other in a limited range of motion.
 15. A portable exercise device comprising: a first pair of opposing handles each having two opposed fixed attachment portions; a second pair of opposing handles each having two opposed hinged attachment portions; at least four resilient limbs, each of the resilient members having a fixed attachment portion for coupling with one of the two opposed fixed attachment portions of one of the first pair of opposing handles and a hinged attachment portion for hingedly coupling with one of the two opposed hinged attachment portions of one of the second pair of opposing handles, the fixed attachment portion and the hinged attachment portion located at opposing end portions of each of the resilient members. 